On the NFL: Collins won't strike it rich(er)

NASHVILLE — Titans quarterback Kerry Collins is 7-0, in the final year of his contract and is on record as saying he would like to be a starter in 2009, if not in Tennessee, then maybe somewhere else.
The Titans also are on record as saying Vince Young is still their quarterback of the future, presumably beginning in 2009. They also have Chris Simms, who some believe quietly has moved ahead of Young since being signed just two months ago.

Is this a developing problem in the only NFL city without a current problem?

"No. 1, you never have a problem when you're undefeated," said Charley Casserly, the former Redskins and Texans general manager who now works as an analyst for CBS Sports and the NFL Network.

"Never. Ever."

Collins is being paid $1.75 million this season. That's pocket change for QBs, especially one who could help steer the league's last unbeaten team into the Super Bowl.

Given the state of some teams' quarterback position, wouldn't Collins stand to make top dollar and land a starting job in free agency if that were to happen?

Not exactly.

"So what's going to happen is you're going to get a market that is going to be below the upper echelon and probably above a backup. I think he should stay in Tennessee and re-sign, and see what happens next year as far as who starts for them. That should happen, and probably will happen."

A former first-round draft pick of the Panthers, the 35-year-old Collins is in his 14th NFL season and his third with Tennessee. He took the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV and ranks among the top 20 in several career passing categories, including pass attempts (12th), completions (13th) and passing yards (16th).

He's also gotten wiser through the years. He has thrown only three interceptions and taken three sacks in 207 pass attempts this season. But his overall numbers and his complementary part in Tennessee's success this season probably will hurt him in free agency as much as his age.

The Titans play great defense, run the ball exceptionally well and limit Collins to a safe, horizontal passing attack until downfield passes are absolutely necessary. Even in that role, Collins is completing only 56.5 percent of his passes. He also has thrown only three touchdown passes and hasn't topped 199 yards passing in a game this season.

"We had a situation similar to this in Seattle when I was there," said Mike Reinfeldt, the Titans general manager and former front office executive with the Seahawks. "We had Matt Hasselbeck and Trent Dilfer, and it kind of went back and forth. Trent took over for us for awhile and did a great job. He was a great calming influence on the team. Kerry is like that. He's a great person for Vince to sit back and learn from."